Permutation-lock.



B. S. BURNETT.

PERMUTATION LOCK.

fwPucATloN FILED Nov. 1o. |915. f v 1,197,443. l PatentedSept. 0,1916.

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S. BURNET. PRMUTATON LOCK. APPLICATION FILED Nev/.101mm 1,1 97,443. Parma sept. 5,1916.

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BUEIJL S. BRNETT, 0F JACKSONVILLLE, FLORIDA.

PERMUTATION-LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

Application les November 10, 1915. Serial No. 60,773.

T 0 all ywhom t may concern Be it known that I, BUELL S. BURNETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and State of Florida, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Permutation-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in permutation locks.

The invention consists in improvements in the organization of the lock casing and the operating parts carried thereby or associated therewith, thev stem by vwhich said parts are operated, and the rotatable con trolling element which is operatively connected by the said stem to the said operating parts, the objects of such improvements being to enable certain specific applications of permutation locks, such, for example, as the application of a permutation lock to slot or coin-controlled machines; and to promote facility in effecting changes of the combination.

The invention also consists in specific improvements in the organization of the operating parts of the lock having for their ob ject a simple, compact, inexpensive and reliable permutation lock structure.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the invention is disclosed in its application to the cash boxes of coin-controlled gas meters.

ln the said drawings: Figui-e1 is an elevation showing the lock dial operatively applied; Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the operating parts of the lock with the bolt retracted; this figure pre-supposes the removal of the back plate; Fig.l 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the bolt projected; certain parts are omitted from this 'figure to expose to view the main tumbler; Fig. 4 is a central vertical sectional view showing the bolt projected; Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the bolt retracted; Fig. 6 is an eleva tion of that side of the lock casing to which the bolt is applied; Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 7-'-7 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the lock casing, looking at the side thereof to which the bolt is applied; and Fig. 9 is an elevation showing the rotatable controlling element to which the dial and the operating knob are applied.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

As above stated, the lock is kshown in its application to the cash box of a coin-controlled gas meter. The front wall of this cash box is shown at 1 and the coin receptacle 1s shown at 2. The cash box as an en tirety is fitted against a side wall of the meter, which said side wall has a hook-like lug or keeper 3 which projects into the cash box adjacent the lower end thereof and which is engaged by the bolt of a lock, the lock being arranged under the coin receptacle 2. So far nothing new has been described.

The lock disclosed is of the general construction shown by my U. S. Patents No. 1,136,653 of April 20, 1915, and No. 1,163,504 of December 7, 1915, although it has certain specic improvements in the organization of the operating parts to which certain of the appended claims are directed.

The lock casing, indicated generally at 4, consists of a base plate 5 provided with an annular iiange 6 which is preferably of flaring or frusto-conical form and a group of superposed rings 7, 8 and 9 which are connected to said base plate and are arranged at that side thereof opposite to the side from which the flange 6 projects. The operating parts of the lock comprise a disk-like main tumbler 10 with which is associated a plate 11 having diametrically opposite coplanar projections 12, and a pair of annular tumblers 13 and '14 which, for convenience, may be termed ring tumblers. The parts 10, 11, 13 and 14 are exactly similar to and cooperate in the same manner as the respective parts 12, 29, 14 and 15, as shown in my said Patent No. 1,163,504. Therefore,y

only a general description of these parts is required. The ring 8 is of greater width than the rings 7 and 9. The ring tumbler 13 lits between the ring 8 and the base plate 5 in co-planar relation to the ring 7. The ring tumbler 14 lits between the ring S and the back plate 15 in co-planar relation to the ring 9. The main tumbler 10 is disposed within an opening in the base plate 5 in colanar relation to said base plate and the plate 11 fits against the base plate 5 in coplanar relation to the tumbler 13.

The tumbler 10, of which -the plate 11 with its projections 12 is functionally a part, and the tumblers 13 and 14 control the operation of a sliding bolt 16, which, according to the present embodiment, is fitted against the front face of the plate 5 and within the Vmarginal portion yof the tumbler 10.

flange 6, and which includes a bolt head 16a and an extended shank 16b formed with a longitudinal slot 16c and with a forwardly directed terminal projection 16d for engagement by a spring 17 which effects the retraction of said bolt. According to the present invention the shank of the bolt is of less thickness than its head and the projection 16d over-hangs that portion of the head which projects laterally beyond the shank. The said projection 16d and the head bear against a plate 34 to be hereafter referred to and orovide between them a clearance into whic the spring 17 projects. The bolt 16, except for its arrangement adjacent the inner face ofthe plate 5 and the provision of the shank 1Gb, is generally similar to the bolt y7 shown yin my said Patent No. 1,163,504 and includes a pointed projection 16e which engagesthe margin ofthe tumbler 10 and a second projection 16f which co-acts with the tumblers 13 and 14. The flange 6 is provided with a recess 18 vthrough which the bolt 16 works and the base plate 5 is provided with `a vradial slot 19 through which the projections 16e and 16i extend. The rings 7, 8 and 9 are provided with the alining recesses 20 in which the projection 16i enters when the bolt is projected. The tumbler10 has a radial recess 21 of general V form which eXtends'from the central opening ofthe `tumbler to the annularly curved margin thereof and in whichthe projection 16e enters when the bolt is retracted; said projection, when the bolt is extended, riding and bearing upon thesaid annularly curvrd o project the bolt 16, `the tumbler 10 is r0- tated in either direction from they position shown .in Fig. 5 and in dotted 'lines in Fig.

'2, and inaccordance withits direction of rotation, either of the inclined sides of the recess 21 will engage the projections 16e and, exertinga 'cam action thereon, will project thebolt `in the obvious manner.

As shown, each of the tumblers 13 and 14 has a pair of marginalrecesses-22 which are Aexactly similar in purpose, arrangement and operation tothe vrecesses 32,33, 34 and 35 of the tumblers 14 and 15 `disclosed in my said Patent No. 1,163,504. lThe main tumbler 10 operates the ring tumbler 13 A'through the engagement of the projections 12 (which are functionally a part ofv said main tumbler) with 'projections I23 located at opposite points of the inner circumference of said ring tumbler and the ring tumbler 13 operates the vtumbler 14 through the engagement .of its projections 23 with projections '.24 located at opposite l,points ofthe inner 'circumference of the tumbler 14 and projecting inwardly, z'. c. toward the base 5.

The ybolt 'is .retracted by its spring 17 when there is a coincidencefofa recess 22 of each 0f lthe lturnblers 13 and'll and a Lsimultaneous radial alinement of said coinciding .recesses with the recess 21 of the tumbler 10 and with the projections 16e and 16t of `the :bolt 16. The operations of alining and disalining the tumblers are effected by a rotation-ofthe main tumbler 10, precisely as disclosed in my said Patent No. 1,163,504.

According to the present invention, the controlling element of the lock is rotatably mounted with relative permanency in the wall or an equivalent part adjacent which the lock is applied. As shown, vthis controlling. element, designated generally by the numeral 25, is rotatably mounted in the wall 1 and consists of three superposed plates connected by rivets or otherwise, the middle plate being of less diameter and functioning as a journal, and vfitting -in an opening in ,the wall 1. According to the present invention. a detachable operating connection is interposed between the operating parts which-are carried by the casing and the controlling element 25. This connection, as shown, consists of a Bat-sided (preferably octagonal) stem 26 which fits in -a conforming opening in the element 25 and which projects through conforming openings in thetumbler 10 and plate 11. A head 27 is mounted upon the `end of the stem 26 which projects beyond the plate 11, said head being preferably loosely mounted and being confined between the plate 11 and the back plate 15. The stem 26 also projects through the slot 16c of the-bolt shank 16h, forming a guide for the inner portion of the'bolt, complementary guides being provided by lugs 2S which are struck up from the plate 5 and engage the outer-side faces of the shank 16h.

The dial 29 and thefoperating knob 30 integral therewith ymay be connected either permanently or idetachably to the controllingelement 25. As shown and preferred, said dial is'detachably connected to said controlling element,-being provided lwith a `pair of pins 31 which engage openings 32 formed in the element 25. The wall 1 has an inwardly dished portion 33 surrounding the controlling element 25 whereby the outer face of said element comes flush with the outer face of the wall and when the dial 29 is applied to rotatethe controlling element, said dial lits A'uniformlyagainstthe face of `the wall 1 outside of the dished portion 33,

as clearly shownin Fig. 4.

The advantage of making the dial detachable from the controlling element and of operatively associating the dial with ysaid element through the vprojections 31 or their ator to work the particular combination ofhis locks except with the particular dial which is assigned to him. Assuming, for example, that the combination of a particular' group of locks is 36, 28 and 17 and can be worked with the pins 31 in a certain position relatively to the dial; if another dial be substituted having said pins arranged in another position relatively to its bars, turning movements of the dial to bring the numbers 36, 28 and 17 successively under the pointer will not worlr the combination, as is obvious. 1n this way, the detachable relation of the dial to the controlling element 25 in conjunction with the operative connections between said dial and said controlling element, enables the dials to be differentiated from one another, where by attempts at fraud will be thwarted.

The advantage of the detachable relation between the stem 26 and the controlling ele ment 25 lies in the facility thereby afforded for changing the combination of the lock. By removing the plate 15 and pullingthe stem 26 rearwardly (without, however', disengaging it from the tumbler 10 and plate 11) said stem may be withdrawn from the opening in the controlling element 25 and said element may thereupon be rotated into another position, at which time the stem 26 is reinserted. This rotation of the c0ntrolling element 25 when the stem is withdrawn will establish a different relation between the tumblers on the one hand and said element and the dial on the other hand, as is obvious. The number of changes of combination which can be effected by thus rotating the element 25 depends upon the number of flat sides with which the stem 26 is provided. Where said stem is octagonal, eight changes of combination, by rotation of the element 25, are possible. Other changes of combination may be effected by varying the relative positions of the tumblers 10, 13 and 14, in the manner explained at length in my said Patent No. 1,163,504 and for each different relation of the tumblers 10, 13 and 14, eight changes of combination may be made by rotatable .adjustment of the controlling element 25 relatively to the stem 26 in the manner explained. The withdrawal of the stem 26 from the controlling element 25 to permit the adjustment of the latter' relatively to said stem does not disturb the relation of said stem to the tumbler 10 and plate 11. 1f desired, however, said tumbler and plate on the one hand and said stem on the other hand may be disengaged from one another, the stem having a slidable fit in the openings of the tumbler 1() and plate 11, and being capable of complete withdrawal or disengagement from said openings.

1n the application of the lock to cash boxes similar to that disclosed, a rest plate 34 is provided against which the flange 6 bears, said plate having an opening for the stem 26. The plate 34 is provided with corner lugs 35 which are secured by screws or rivets to the wall 1. The loclr casing and the operating parts are held in place by fastening screws 36 which take into the rest plate 34 and extend through openings in the back plate 15 and in the rings 7, 8 and 9 `and base plate 5.

That feature of the invention which in volves the detachable relation among the loclr proper, the stem 26, and the controlling element rotatably mounted in a wall of the structure to which the lock is applied obviously does not require for its practice the particular lock construction disclosed, but may be practised in connection with other locks wherein the stem constitutes an operative connection between the said contro-lling element and a rotatable member of the lock organization by which the projection and retraction of the bolt is controlled.

It is to be understood that no specific description herein contained is intended to put any limitation upon the scope of the appended claims which does not inhere in the language thereof.

Having fully described my invention, l claim- 1. In a permutation lock, in combination, a slidable bolt provided with inner and outer projections, a main tumbler having a mar ginal recess to co'-act with the inner projection, a plurality of ring tumblers having marginal recesses to co-act with the outer projection, a dial-operated rotatable controlling element having a polygonal recess, the main tumbler having a polygonal opening, a polygonal stem forming an operative connection between the controlling element and the main tumbler and being disengageable by a sliding movement in the direction of its axis from either of said parts, said stem, upon its disengagement from either of said parts, being rotatably adjustable relatively thereto, the ring tumblers having central openings of greater diameter than said stem through which the stem extends, said ring tumblers having the margins of their central openings provided with inter-acting projections, and a member having a polygonal opening and conformably tted on said stem, said member being provided with radial projections for engagement with the projections of one of said ring tumblers.

2. The combination in a permutation lock of a slidable bolt provided with a slotted shank and with outer and inner projections, a base plate which the bolt adjoins and which is provided with an enlarged central opening, a main tumbler fitted in said opening and having a marginal recess for cooperation with the inner projection, a plurality of ring tumblers arranged at the side gins of said openings provided with interacting projections, and a part littedon the stem and .provided with ,radial projections for coperation with the projections of one of said ring .tumblers 3. The combination of a permutation lock having a casing provided with a base plate, a slidable bolt arranged adjacent one face ofsaid plate and having a slotted shank, and tumblers arranged adjacent the other yface of said base plate and controlling the projection :and retraction of said bolt, a rotatable controllingelement and a stem operatively connecting said controlling element and said tumblers and extending through the slot in said shank.

4f. `Thecombination of a .permutation lock havinga vcasing provided with a base plate, a slidable bolt arranged adjacent one face of said plate and having a 4slotted shanlnand tumblers arranged adjacent the other .face of said base plate and controlling the projection and `retraction of said bolt, a rotatable controlling element, said bolt beingarranged intermediatesaid base plate and said controlling element and a stem operatively convnecting isaid controlling element and said .tumblersand extending through the slot in 5. The combinationof a permutation klock including a `base plate, ,-a slidable bolt arranged adjacent one face of said plateand having a slotted shank, a flange circumscribing said base plateand havinga recess `through Which the bolt Works, and tuniblers arranged adjacent the yother face of said base plate and controlling the projection yand retraction of said bolt, a rotatablecontrolling element, and a stenioperatively connecting said controlling element and said .tumblers andextending throughfthe slot in said shank.

65111 a permutation lock, a base plate, a bolt having a head and a shank, the shank being of less thickness ythan the head and having .a projection which .over-hangs the head at one side of the shank and between .which and said head a clearance intervenes,

.a spring for retracting the bolt, said spring having a part Whichprojects into said clearance and .is engaged with said projection,

and a plate forming a partofthe lockcasing -M. W. NAFI, ELMER HILDEBRANDT.

Copies of this patent-may4 be. obtained for ,ve cents veach.`t y,addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washing-tomi). C. 

